East Carolina Wins Sloppy Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl

Dec 23, 2013 7:07 PM EST

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Everyone who piled 30-plus confidence points on East Carolina in a bowl pick 'em league can breathe easy.

The Pirates won Monday's Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl, 37-20.

ECU, a two-touchdown favorite, appeared poised to give the game to Ohio. The Pirates moved the chains almost all game, but failed to convert fourth-and-2 in the red zone twice, missed a 29-yard field goal and had an extra point blocked.

The Pirates fell behind 20-17 with 13:33 left. The Bobcats then recovered an onside kick and set up for a 45-yard field goal, which Josiah Yazdini missed.

Tyler Tettleton then threw two of his three interceptions on ensuing drives, helping ECU put the game away.

Running back Vintavious Cooper ran for 198 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 9:45 left, and the MAC fell to 0-2 in bowl games. The conference will have three more opportunities to win, with Northern Illinois (Poinsettia Bowl) and Bowling Green (Little Caesars Bowl) set to play Thursday.

Justin Hardy, fighting off cramps and a catch overturned by replay, finished with nine catches for 66 yards, completing his junior season with 124 receptions for the Pirates.